Improvement in lightning-rods and conductors



J. W. HANKENSON.

Lightning Rod.

No. 99,184. Patented Jan. 25, 1870.

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JAMES W. HANKENSON, OE MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO HIM- SELF AND WINSLOW BAKER, OE SAME PLACE.

Letters Patent N 99,184, dated January 25, 1870.

IMPROVEMENT IN LIGHTNING-RODS AND CONDUCTORES.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent ans! making part of thesame.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES W. HAXKENSON, of Minneapolis, iu the'connty of Hennepin, andState of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Im.- provemeuts in Lightuiug-Comluctors; and I do hereby declare that Vthe following is a. full and exact description of the same, reiereuccbeiug had to the accompanying drawings, aud letters of reference marked thereon, which make a part ot' this specification.

The design of my invention is to introduce improvements in copper-strip conductors, by giving the flat strip such new and improved shape as shall increase its strength and durability, and also provide for itsinsulatiou from the building, thus increasing its ctiieiency as an electrical conductor, and also preventing the corrosion and stain caused by water dripping down the side ot' a. building, with which the strip is in immediate contact.

To enable others shilledvn the art to malte andY use-my invention, I will describe its construction and operation.' l

A represents a strip of copper, fashioned into asemitubular shape, with its edges rinuned out in the form ot' a square iiuugc, thus giving it such strength and stitluess as will allow the use ot bracket-attac]nnents for its support, instead of placing the strip tlatagaiust the surface of the building, the strip being cnt into sections of any desired length. Near one end of cach piece or section are cut two small slots I) b, while near the opposite end are small tongues c c, which are iuserted through the slots of the adjacent section, and

clasped upon the inside, in this manner jointing together two sections, as shown at B.

C C represent non-conducting attachments, fastened to the building at convenient distances, by which the jointed strip is supported. These attachments are strips of zinc, made in the' forni of a bracket, with its face moulded or curved into a. shape which corresponds with that of the copper strip, as above described. Across each attachment are cnt two parallel and horizontal slots e e, through which is passed the copper stri p, which, heilig thus insulated, is in like manner tirmly supported at a safe and uniform distance from the building.

In putting on these attachment-s, a margin is left at cach end of the zinc strip, sufficient to be turned and hammered over, so as to completely cover any nails or metallic fastenngs.

What I claim as my invention, and desire t secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The lightning-conductor A, when composed of a series of copper strips,`made in semi-tubular form, with flange-like edges, and. jointed together by slots aud tongues, substantially as shown and described.

2. In combination with conductor A, the zinc attachment C, with face curved to correspond with the shape of the conductor, and having two slots, through which the conductor 'is passed, and thereby secured, substatitially as described.

lVitnesses E. S. Josas, WM. CHENEY.

JAMES lV. HANKENSON. 

